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Re: 2012 NBA rumors thread part II

Pacers balking at including pick. "The first team to give Portland a first round pick for Crawford will have him," source said.

If we give a 1st rd pick for a guy we could of had in free agency I will officially go off. I dont like his game anyway would rather pass even if he is basically free he would be a rental and likely not mesh well.

Re: 2012 NBA rumors thread part II

Great article explaining why Josh Smith wants out, I wonder if they take Danny straight up?

Josh Smith wants out of Hawks — and it’s hard to blame him

By the end of last season, the criticism had started to become too much for Josh Smith.

When something went wrong, he got blamed. When the Hawks lost, he got blamed. Certainly, any time he did something silly and made one of those pouty, lower-lip-touches-the-tip-of-the-nose boo-boo faces, the city’s basketball fans held their nose in disgust and screamed, “Feh!”

At some point, it all figured to be too much for the hometown kid – and now it is.

Smith wants out of the Hawks. Out of Atlanta. I don’t blame him. I wrote a column following last season’s playoff exit that it might be best if the two parties went in opposite directions, and that was meant less as criticism of Smith than it was a read of the unhealthy situation. It was clear how he and those in his camp felt about the situation.

Our Michael Cunningham reports that, while external criticism of Smith has significantly diminished this season, the forward wants a fresh start with a new team and he has let the Hawks know of his desire to be dealt before the NBA’s March 15 trade deadline.

The irony here is that Smith has had the best season of his career. He is averaging 17 points, 10 rebounds, 3.5 assists and two blocks. When center Al Horford went down early this season, Smith stepped up and took on a bigger role. When guard Joe Johnson went down, Smith went on to carry this team.

Is Smith great every night? No. But what we’ve witnessed this season is a smarter, far more mature and polished player than at any time in his eight-year career. When training camp opened following the league’s lockout, Smith showed up 25 pounds lighter, wearing a smile and having a seemingly new perspective on things.

He denied that criticism ever prompted him to ask for a trade in the offseason, but cracked that at times he was tempted to “get lost. Punch the GPS a few times.

“I’ve been here a long time,” Smith continued. “I’ve never lashed out at the organization. All I ask for sometimes is, when I raise my hand, maybe somebody can help me up, so I’m not always the person who’s trying to [defend me from criticism]. It would be nice if somebody else said, ‘This guy’s a pretty good player.’”

He certainly has shown that this season. Now he wants out. Figures.

How does this look if you’re the Hawks?

The kid from College Park doesn’t want to play for the hometown team. Dwight Howard, an Atlanta native, doesn’t want to play here, either.

It’s one thing when hockey players from Russia (Ilya Kovalchuk) and Slovakia (Marian Hossa) want out. But two guys who grew up playing pickup games on the city’s black tops?

Neither Smith nor Howard have a problem with Atlanta itself. It’s more about perceptions of the franchise and the ownership. As players move on in their career, winning titles becomes more important. Smith wants to play for a franchise more committed to winning a championship — or at least one that leaves the impression it knows what it takes to get there.

The Hawks have been an undersized team with Horford as their center, but their inability to make significant roster fixes can be traced directly to ownership’s decision to give Johnson a $123.7 million contract.

Smith has been the Hawks’ best player this season. He got jobbed in All-Star game selection twice — first when Eastern Conference coaches picked reserves, then when commissioner David Stern inexplicably chose the suspended Rajon Rondo over Smith to replace the injured Johnson. Smith apparently holds the Hawks at least partially responsible, believing the organization didn’t do enough to promote his candidacy.

My guess is that perceptions of the younger, immature underachieving Smith still linger with some and had more to do with his exclusion. But Smith has been a treasure to watch for most of this season. Now he wants out. It was easy to see coming.

Re: 2012 NBA rumors thread part II

By the way, if I'm going to give a 1st for somebody I rather do it for Barbosa+ Calderon or Crawford+ Felton but just Crawford by himself? meh.

For me, I'd give up the first for rentals of either Andre Miller or Ray Allen. I really think they'll give us a big boost, plus we'll still have a chance to re-sign them. Wouldn't give up a pick for Kaman though and certainly not for Crawford.

Re: 2012 NBA rumors thread part II

For me, I'd give up the first for rentals of either Andre Miller or Ray Allen. I really think they'll give us a big boost, plus we'll still have a chance to re-sign them. Wouldn't give up a pick for Kaman though and certainly not for Crawford.

I see what you're saying, but hell no on Andre. He's awful, slow defensively and no shot. Not exactly creating well either...definition of over the hill.

Re: 2012 NBA rumors thread part II

Ilyasova anybody?

eric (wisconsin)

will the bucks do anything towards the deadline

John Hollinger (2:04 PM)

I believe they will be active in trying to deal Ersan Ilyasova (who has raised his value with some great performances lately) and Stephen Jackson. Not sure they'll find takers, but it won't be for lack of trying.

Re: 2012 NBA rumors thread part II

Do you see the Raptors making any moves towards the deadline? What is the market like for players such as Barbosa and Calderon?

John Hollinger (2:06 PM)

There isn't much of one, which is what makes moving them problematic. Raptors don't want to just dump Calderon, but those are the type of offers out there. I think they'll have some conversations but end up standing pat.

Re: 2012 NBA rumors thread part II

Batum for Nash?

Steve (Portland)

Are the Blazers going to move Wallace?

John Hollinger (2:16 PM)

The Blazers will move pretty much anybody except Aldridge and Batum, and they might even move Batum if the right Canadian point guard came along. So yes, expect conversations involving Wallace, Felton, Crawford, Camby and Matthews.

Re: 2012 NBA rumors thread part II

They have to be really stupid to give either Turner, Iguadola or Williams for Kaman, that makes non sense.

Mike (Los Angeles)

Is Nocioni the most-likely expiring contract outside of Kaman to be moved? Who have you heard is interested?

John Hollinger (2:26 PM)

The Sixers will likely dangle Nocioni as bait, but I'm not sure that alone will get them very far. Where rubber meets road is their willingness to deal Turner, Iguodala or Williams; those are the players that will fetch something.

Re: 2012 NBA rumors thread part II

I'm getting a lot of info from Hollingers Chat.

John (SLC)

Will the Jazz realistically make a trade? Harris has to have some trade value.

John Hollinger (2:28 PM)

I would say Harris has limited trade value because he makes 9 mil next year and he isn't worth that much. But I have a feeling Utah will explore all available options with him, as our Marc Stein reported earlier this year.

Re: 2012 NBA rumors thread part II

I've heard almost everybody say, "Indiana needs a super-star to play with Granger." But with the amazing potential Paul George has, should they trade Danny to get a super-star?

John Hollinger (2:40 PM)

My take on Indiana has been consistent all year -- they need a creator who can pass. George isn't that guy, at least yet, and Granger clearly isn't that guy. A good pick-and-roll point guard would get West, Hibbert, Granger, Hill et al a ton of easy jumpers that they'd knock down. Instead they have Granger going 1-on-1 to try doing the same thing.